Creative Writing Sentences
That Impress
By Mary Kole
Mary Kole is a former literary agent, freelance editor, writing teacher, author of Writing Irresistible Kidlit, and IP developer for major publishers, with over a decade in the publishing industry.
Writing sentences that are clear and compelling is the heart of a creative writer’s craft and skill. It is not enough to simply string together words—aspiring creative writers need to be intentional about their word choice and syntax in order to express their ideas in a way that will connect with readers. But how do you go about writing sentences that work well and serve your intentions? Read on to find out.
Writing Sentences: What Makes a Good Sentence?
When it comes to writing sentences, there are three main aspects to consider:
Clarity
Simplicity
Style
Clarity involves using the right words to communicate an idea effectively and efficiently. Simplicity means using the right tone and type of words without sacrificing the meaning of your sentence. This ensures that readers can understand what you’re saying quickly and easily, and that your sentences are accomplishing your intentions. Finally, style involves developing a writing voice and varying your sentence structure in such a way that your writing sentences flow.
Writing Sentences: Word Choice Matters
Word choice plays a major role in writing sentences that make a strong impression. The goal should always be to use the most precise words possible—words that provide just the right amount of information without being too vague or too detailed. You’ll also want to avoid overcompensating with smart words and overwriting, neither of which are truly impressive to literary agents, publishers, or readers. It goes without saying that a great writer has an intimate knowledge of language, grammar, and mechanics. You can certainly get away with writing sentences that break writing rules (freewriting), but if you know you struggle with the basics, you can always reinforce your own knowledge or hire a proofreader.
Writing Sentences: Developing a Writing Voice
Writing voice refers to the unique way in which a writer expresses themselves. Sometimes, you will change your voice from project to project, especially if you’re merging with a fictional character in first person point of view. This includes everything from word choice and sentence structure to tone and style. Developing an individual writing style takes time, but it can be done by experimenting with different ways of expressing yourself until you find something that feels comfortable and authentic for you. Word choice plays a huge role in developing your writing voice—try playing around with different ways of saying things until you find something that works for you. And don’t forget to put the “voice” in writing voice. Experiment with writing sentences aloud, by reading your work to yourself or having someone read it back to you. This can be nerve wracking and emotional, but there’s no better way to train your ear.
Writing sentences that communicate clearly and with style requires practice, patience, and trial and error. It’s also a lifelong art and craft that many writers pursue endlessly. That being said, once you have mastered the basics of sentence construction—clarity, simplicity, style—you can start exploring more sophisticated techniques to develop your own individual voice. All of this magic happens at the sentence level, so dig into writing sentences with a careful eye.
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